High healthcare cost is pushing about 1.5 million Kenyans to poverty every year while 13 per cent of Kenyans cannot access quality health care services, Health Cabinet Secretary, Dr Cleopa Mailu has revealed.
Addressing participants when he launched a two-day Lake Region Economic Block Health Investment Conference at Kisii University, the CS said the regional block would improve health care services across the region by sharing resources and expertise .
Mailu, accompanied by Governors James Ongwae (Kisii), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), John Nyagarama (Nyamira) and the National Hospital Insurance Fund Chief Executive Officer Dr Geoffrey Mwangi, noted it was imperative for the county governments to collaborate with the national government and private investors to enhance health care services nationally.
“As we transition to the to the Sustainable Development Goals, we plan to use universal Health Coverage as a vehicle to expand access to affordable and quality health care services” explained Mailu.
The regional block consists of 13 counties namely: Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet, Busia, Bungoma, Homabay, Kericho, Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Trans- Nzoia, Vihiga and Kakamega.
Cord leader Raila Odinga is expected to close the two-day conference tomorrow.
